“An intimate and wonderfully written account of a sport that is increasingly shaking America’s soul out.”—Colum McCann, author of the National Book Award winner Let the Great World Spin and Dancer
“An always-readable, always-engaging journey through the life of a football-mad New Yorker. . . . Truly fascinating.”—Andi Thomas, SB Nation
“A funny and affecting account of one American’s stubborn embrace of soccer.”—Esquire
“A gripping narrative . . . offering insights into the growth of soccer’s popularity in America.”—Souvik Naha, Journal of Sport History
"A thoughtful and enjoyable narrative of his passion for the game"—Keir Graff, Booklist
"Agovino’s journey will make soccer fans reflect on their own path on the lifelong love affair they have with the game they just can’t quit, no matter when that path started."—Jon Arnold, Goal
"Agovino's The Soccer Diaries is the testament of those patient fans who knew in their heart-of-hearts that soccer in the US wouldn’t fade away, that it would grow into what we see today, and continue to do so."—Daniel Casey, Soccer Newsday
"[The Soccer Diaries] offers more than an insightful account of American soccer’s evolution over the past three decades—it also hits a chord with anyone who’s enjoyed meeting fascinating characters at pickup games, who’s discovered new friends and previously unfamiliar cultures through soccer, and experienced the emotional roller-coaster of soccer fandom."—Mike Woitalla, Soccer America Daily
"Michael Agovino's The Soccer Diaries is introspective, perceptive, and intelligent, and it masterfully blends single-event snapshots into narrative mosaics in a way that echoes Nick Hornby's canonical Fever Pitch."—Matthew S. Tettleton, Aethlon
“Those who lived through this barren time for the game in America during the ’80s will see a lot of themselves in this diary, while for the new MLS era, this will be an eye opener on how things used to be.”—The Football Pink
